FUHSD increases education requirement for athletic trainer

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Fallbrook Union High School District increased the education requirement for the district's athletic trainer position.

Previously the athletic trainer only needed a bachelor's degree, and the equivalent of an associate's degree with courses could substitute for experience with the prevention and care of athletic injuries and some experience working with physical education and athletic equipment.

The 5-0 FUHSD vote July 12 now requires the athletic trainer to have a master's degree, and the experience with the prevention and care of athletic injuries and with physical education and athletic equipment is now a requirement rather than an option the associate's degree could replace.

The revision of the athletic trainer job description also added four knowledge qualifications. The previous knowledge qualification of modern training techniques and procedures, equipment used in physical education classes, and safety measures was retained.

The new knowledge requirements are musculoskeletal injuries as they pertain to athletes and their susceptibility to injury during sport participation, proper treatment techniques for all of the various injuries possible during athletic participation, proper emergency situation procedure and implementation of immediate care, and protective athletic equipment and equipment standards to ensure the athletes' safety.

Added to the required skills and abilities is the ability to recognize emergency situations and react calmly, efficiently, and effectively. The previous skills and abilities which will still be required are the ability to recognize and assist in the care of injuries, to organize and manage equipment proficiently, to maintain accurate records, to assume responsibility and exercise sound judgement, to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, and to communicate effectively with students, staff, and the public.

The position already required a valid California driver's license and a certificate from the National Athletic Trainers Association of the ability to obtain that certificate if required. The athletic trainer will now also need to have proof of automobile insurability and current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

The revision of the athletic trainer job description eliminated his or her duties to supervise the security of the locker room. The remaining duties in the job description are to help coaches plan a conditioning program to prevent injuries, to advise coaches on warm-up procedures, to work with coaches for the cleaning and repair of equipment and uniforms, to maintain a current and accurate inventory of all equipment, to advise on the safety of equipment, to set up physical examinations, to assist in preventative taping and bandaging, to conduct necessary in-service programs for coaches and athletes, to conduct student training, to order necessary trainer's supplies and equipment and maintain an inventory of that, to administer first aid and emergency care during practices and contests and during the regular school day, to supervise the rehabilitation of injured athletes, to maintain records of all injuries and treatment administered, to be available for all home athletic contests, to accompany the varsity and junior varsity football teams for away contests, and to assist in the purchase, fitting, and care of equipment.

The increased qualifications create an increase in the athletic trainer's pay grade. The annual salary will be $50,899, and the annual cost including $28,426 worth of benefits will be $79,325. The school's athletic director will be responsible to see that the total hours for the position are not exceeded.

The athletic trainer had previously reported to the athletic director, but now the athletic director and/or the principal will be the athletic trainer's supervisor.